Gay Pride fills the city streets

SOLDIERS, nuns, children and chavs went on parade yesterday for a riotous opening to a long weekend of Gay Pride in the city. Thousands lined the streets for the annual parade, as the usual disco dollies and Muscle Mary's strutted their stuff on the mile-long extravaganze through the city streets. But some of the faces were new.

SOLDIERS, nuns, children and chavs went on parade yesterday for a riotous opening to a long weekend of Gay Pride in the city.

Thousands lined the streets for the annual parade, as the usual disco dollies and Muscle Mary's strutted their stuff on the mile-long extravaganze through the city streets, But some of the faces were new.

Soldiers in uniform walked alongside hundreds of other marchers from the lesbian, gay and transgender community, a different kind of uniform for the day.

The Army hopes to attract more recruits from the gay and lesbian community - and show it can be gay friendly.

The 10 recruits marched in the parade on the two-mile route through the city centre, watched by thousands of supporters lining the streets ten-deep.

Wearing green fatigues the volunteers, both male and female, were shoulder to shoulder with a colourful mix of transsexuals, transvestites, lesbians and gays many wearing outrageous costumes and very little else.

Muscle Men

Soldiers handed out sweets to the crowd as the Army car travelled along the route, proceeded by a float of muscle men in pink Lycra shorts blowing whistles while gyrating to pumping house music.

Warrant Officer Lutha Magloire, 39, of the Logistics Corps, was at the parade as part of the Army's Diversity Action and Recruitment Team.

Surrounded by a troupe of gay Cupids wearing silver paint and sporting feathered wings and a bow, Warrant Officer Magloire said the Army was determined to show it can be diverse.

"We don't really care what sexual orientation you are if you want to come and join us in the Army," he said.

"I'm not prepared to say if I am gay or not. The Army does not care and does not ask that question to recruits.

"Whether straight or not, it does not really matter."

Warrant Officer Magloire said the army asked for 10 recruits from the North West area to go on the march - and got more than 30 volunteers.

"There has been unbelievable support and it caused an awful lot of conversation.

"The Army reflects society and we must recruit from all sections, so if there is prejudice in society it will be in the Army also.

Represents

"But the Army can only get better the more it represents all the community."

The service has taken part in cultural festivals before, the officer said, but this was a first for the Army taking part in a gay event.

They have also set up a stall in Manchester's famous Gay Village, and are expected to take part in more gay parades in future.

The RAF took part in today's parade for the second year running - with a float featuring the cockpit of a plane.

Only the Navy were not represented - though there were a number of marchers dressed in sailors uniforms.

It was not intended to be a snub from the senior service, officials have said - and event organisers say sailors would be warmly welcomed to join the other forces next year.

Servicemen and women were also joined by more marchers in other uniforms, including the police and fire service.

Gay showbiz star Graham Norton, also at the event, backed the Army's efforts.

Pink tank

He said: "I haven't seen any of the soldiers but good for them. Somebody has got a pink tank on the parade - maybe it should be the Army's."

Festival Director Claire Turner said: "I think its great the Army is coming. They're showing that they welcome gay people and the Army is something gay people can be interested in."

"We hope the Army will have more involvement next year and a float as well," she added.

Up until January 2003, the forces were legally allowed to dismiss gay and lesbian officers.

However, a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights said the ban breached people's right to a private life.

Today's march begins a three day festival also featuring arts, music and sporting events, attracting an estimated 250,000 people to the city.